It is not yet known when the change will be formalized. Reznikov, who has not yet responded, will be given “a new government position,” according to Arachamia.
Earlier today, 56-year-old Reznikov promised to have his ministry scrutinized after a recent corruption scandal related to purchases for the army. However, he contradicted media reports that he would soon be forced to resign. “Only the commander-in-chief, President Volodymyr Zelensky, decides whether I remain defense minister,” he said.
Reznikov acknowledged that his ministry’s anti-corruption services have “failed their duties” and said he has ordered “internal investigations of all government contracts.” In addition, he also promised to investigate how his ministry deals with what he calls “international technical assistance”, referring to the ever-growing amount of Western weapons that Kiev receives.
At the end of January, the director of the procurement department of the Ministry of Defense was already fired. The top official was linked to a scandal about the purchase of far too expensive food for soldiers.
Widespread corruption was one of the main criticisms of the West against Ukraine before the war. In June, Ukraine received the status of candidate member state of the European Union, which requires, among other things, that the country fights corruption.